According to this quarter’s National Cannabis Survey, approximately 16 percent (or 4.9 million) Canadians 15 years of age or older reported consuming cannabis over the past three months, which has been consistent since before federal legalization came into force last October.

But Quebec’s number of admitted cannabis consumers was considerably lower than the Canadian average. Only 10 percent (or 713,600) of the province’s residents copped to rolling Js en français in recent months.

Quebec’s number of admitted cannabis consumers was considerably lower than the Canadian average.MARTIN OUELLET-DIOTTE/AFP/Getty Images

Nova Scotia and Alberta, in comparison, showed higher levels of consumption than the national average — 24 percent and 20 percent, respectively, as did all three territorial capitals; Whitehorse on par with the province of Nova Scotia at 24 percent, Yellowknife even higher at 30 percent, and Iqaluit at 32 percent.

So what’s with the numbers? Quebec politics may have something to do with it.

The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government, led by premier Francois Legault, has been anti-cannabis since their election last year, having made attempts to raise the legal consumption age from 18 to 21 and place a ban on consuming in public places — although those plans are on hold, at least for the time being.

There are also a limited number of licensed dispensaries, which are exclusively run by the province’s Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) — a subsidiary of the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ), its provincial liquor distributor. This could further deter access to Quebecers who don’t live near a shop and don’t have a source in the illicit market.

As for Quebec residents who feel underrepresented in the survey, there’s always next quarter.

Better start smoking.

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